Current Trends In Kitchen Design

The kitchen is without doubt one of the most important rooms in the house. It is where families spend many hours of their day - gone are the days when its sole purpose was for preparing food and cooking (and doing the washing up of course!). It is most definitely a multi-functional room used for many different things. As a result, most home owners put it at the top of their list when it comes to making home improvements. In this article we will look at current trends in kitchen design.

Trends in Colour

Grey is extremely popular at the moment in all areas of home design, and the kitchen is no exception to this. Grey kitchen cabinets are very much in vogue. Soft greys produce a calming feel, and work well in a more rustic kitchen, whereas darker, dramatic shades are more suited to the contemporary, industrial style.

Handleless Units

The handleless cupboard door has also been a popular recent trend. These produce a minimalist, uncluttered look with sleek, uninterrupted lines. They work particularly well when used with high gloss contemporary units.

The 'Industrial' Kitchen

This trend is inspired by the factory look and typically includes features such as exposed brick work, rustic metals and grey doors. It often combines the look of a professional kitchen with some quirky, more homely touches. Stainless steel is often used to great effect in this type of kitchen. Factory style lighting such as large metal shades can be used to complete the look.

The Vintage Kitchen

The vintage kitchen is the antithesis of the industrial kitchen. However, this look has also had a surge in popularity in recent years. Many people view the ultra modern contemporary style as cold and clinical, and prefer something a little more homely and traditional. Vintage kitchens generally don't have as many fitted units - they often make more use of shelving for storage. This can be an excellent way of displaying pretty crockery (traditional, old fashioned tea sets are a must!) and utensils. Pans can be hung from the shelves giving that rustic feel.

Painted, wooden cabinets and display dressers look great in vintage kitchens - particularly those with the distressed look. Pastel shades such as duck egg blue, lemon and pale pink work very well. It really comes down to personal taste. A butler sink is a must for a vintage kitchen. These can be a little expensive, but it is possible to pick up second hand ones at low cost. Replica sinks are also available to purchase. Pretty floral fabrics used with accessories such as seat cushions and curtains add that homely touch to a vintage kitchen.

Alison Paul Designs supply fitted kitchens in Ormskirk.